Does everyone know what donation is and who a donor is? First of all, if we turn to the origin of this word, we should say that it is of Latin origin and comes from the ancientdono, which meant “I give.” If we consider the word and its meaning more broadly, then a “donor” is someone, including an individual, a group of individuals, and an organization, who gives something to someone else, that is, another object (person, organization , enterprise, state).
The one who receives something from the donor is called an acceptor or recipient. Most people are sure that the concept of “donation” refers to the medical field.
However, this is not quite true. For example, this term is quite common in chemistry, where an electron donor is usually called an atom of a chemical element that exhibits lower electronegativity; in turn, an atom of a chemical element with higher electronegativity is called an electron acceptor.
The term “donor” is also used in solid state physics, where a donor is an impurity in a standard crystal lattice for a certain substance that donates an electron to the crystal. Since about the second half of the last century, the word “donation” has also been used in economics - this has been the name given to the provision of preferential loans or even the provision of certain financial resources to a country as assistance for more than half a century.
But perhaps the most common understanding and perception of the word “donation” is associated with medicine, where a donor is someone who shares his blood to be transfused to other patients, or even someone who gives his internal organ for transplantation. The one who receives blood or an organ from a donor is called a recipient.
In modern medicine, such types of donation as blood donation, sperm donation, milk donation and, of course, tissue and organ donation are especially common. However, blood donation is still the most common. Many people are interested in donating blood: benefits and harms. Blood donation and its consequences for the body.
WHO on blood donation
The enormous importance of donation is noted and repeatedly emphasized by the World Health Organization. WHO experts believe that the most effective donation is voluntary donation, and when determining the safest donors, WHO experts gave preference to voluntary unpaid blood donors, who belong to those population groups that have minimal risks.
WHO Fact Sheet No. 279 released facts on blood donation for 2011, and, according to the figures provided, it turned out that the national blood stocks of more than sixty countries are formed entirely or almost entirely (more than 99.9%) from exclusively voluntary and completely unpaid donations (the word “donation” comes from the English donation, which means “donation”).
However, as WHO reports, in about forty countries around the world, national blood reserves are formed on a voluntary and free donor basis in only less than a quarter of cases.
The goal of the World Health Organization was formed in a resolution of the World Health Assembly (adopted in 1975) - by 2020, to receive all blood supplies only from voluntary and absolutely free donors.
Interesting! The 58th World Health Assembly, which took place in May 2005, adopted a resolution establishing an annual World Blood Donor Day. By decision of representatives of 192 states, this day is celebrated on June 14. The annual World Blood Donor Day is sponsored by the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS), and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). It is very important that every year on June 14, sponsoring organizations hold some important event on a global scale.
In 2015, World Blood Donor Day was celebrated under the theme “Thank you for saving my life!” to once again emphasize that blood donors and blood transfusions save millions of lives every year. In addition, another goal was to bring to life the slogan “Rent Free, Rent Often. Blood donation is important”, encouraging people around the world to donate blood, thereby saving other lives.
Unfortunately, not all countries yet test donated blood properly to completely exclude the possibility of transmitting any infection through blood, including such dangerous ones as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases (there are slightly less than forty such countries) .
To ensure that the blood being transfused is suitable for a particular patient, blood received from donors must be tested and determined.
WHO experts emphasize that it is very important that all blood supplies are absolutely safe, so all donated blood always undergoes the most thorough testing and all necessary screening procedures.
Dispelling myths about donation
Since blood has always been not only a necessary source of life, but also a kind of mystical substance, the embodiment of life and death, the embodiment of kinship, a symbol of health, it is not at all surprising that many myths have formed around blood and, especially, around blood donation.
However, first you need to remember how much blood is contained in any person and what part of this blood can be donated without harm to your body.
According to many observations and special studies, scientists and physiologists have found that the volume of circulating blood, or BCC, is determined depending on a person’s weight: for every kilogram of body weight, there is from 50 ml to 80 ml of blood in the body. As for the total volume of circulating blood, to determine this value, it is customary to multiply body weight in kilograms by 0.077 (a certain average value that determines the amount of blood in liters per kilogram of weight). For example, if a person weighs 56 kg, then the volume of blood in his body will be 56 x 0.077 = 4.312 liters.
It has been proven that a person can donate 12% of all blood in his body without harm to his own health: 4.312:100x12=0.517 liters.
As a rule, 450 ml of blood is taken from donors and an additional 40 ml for carrying out the necessary tests and analyzes (in total, 490-500 ml of blood is taken from the donor at one time).
Both the World Health Organization and donor societies in different countries, calling on people to donate blood, point out that blood transfusions, as well as the use of blood components when necessary, save many human lives.
Medical statistics have information that one out of three inhabitants of the Earth needs to receive a transfusion of blood or blood components at least once during their life. There are categories of sick people and people injured in various accidents for whom the use of donor blood, as well as drugs and/or blood components, is mandatory and ensures the success of the necessary specialized treatment.
- First of all, women who have lost a large amount of blood during childbirth need donor blood transfusions;
- Often blood transfusions are required for people who have suffered accidents, been injured, or lost a lot of blood during any accidents or disasters.
- Cancer patients often require blood transfusions.
- It is impossible to do without transfusion of donor blood or blood products for many specific blood diseases, which include leukemia, hemophilia, and aplastic anemia.
- Sometimes a transfusion of donor blood is required for complex diseases with a chronic course.
- Donor blood is absolutely necessary during a bone marrow transplant operation.
- Donor blood and the possibility of timely transfusion during many surgical interventions, including cardiac surgery, endoprosthetics, and other complex operations, are very important.
Thus, it becomes completely clear that modern medicine cannot do without blood transfusion, which is called “transfusion”. However, for a considerable number of people, the idea of parting with their blood seems ridiculous and even scary. Although it is known that the body quickly restores lost volumes.
Unfortunately, a considerable number of prejudices, fears and peculiar myths have formed around blood donation, which, as a rule, have nothing behind them. However, any myth can be examined more closely and refuted if you have truthful information.
Myth No. 1. Donating blood is harmful to the donor.
In fact. If a person is healthy, then donation does not cause him the slightest harm, especially since the blood volume is quickly restored. In addition, this procedure stimulates and activates hematopoietic processes, which, of course, brings considerable benefits to a person.
Myth No. 2. By donating blood, you can get some kind of infection.
In fact. The procedure is completely safe, since all equipment at the donor points is completely sterile, only disposable needles and syringes, as well as blood transfusion systems are used, and the packages are opened immediately before the procedure so that the donor can see the unsealing process. After blood collection, used syringes and needles are destroyed (disposed of).
Myth No. 3. Many people are afraid that the donor procedure is very painful.
In fact. The blood donation procedure does not bring any pain, except for one thing - a puncture of the skin and vein on the inside of the elbow. The strength of the sensations during this short-term impact is comparable to a gentle pinch, and the process of blood sampling itself is absolutely painless. It is significant that some donors donate blood multiple times.
Myth No. 4. Very few people need donor blood, so there is no point in donating it.
In fact. Any person may need the help of donors and blood transfusions. Medical statistics confirm that every third inhabitant of the planet has been forced to resort to blood transfusion at least once during his life.
Myth No. 5. It takes a long time to donate blood.
In fact. The blood donation procedure takes about fifteen minutes, a little longer is required to donate blood components (platelet or plasma) - these procedures can last from half an hour to an hour and a half.
Myth No. 6. Most often, what is needed is not blood of the 1st or 2nd groups, but of rare groups, so this is exactly the kind of blood that should be donated.
In fact. Blood of any group and with any Rh factor is constantly in demand.
Myth No. 7. Smokers cannot donate blood or be donors.
In fact. If a smoker donates blood, he should not smoke for an hour before the blood donation procedure and for at least an hour after the procedure.
Myth No. 8. Donating blood is a very tiring procedure, after which thorough rest is necessary.
In fact. After the blood sampling procedure, you should sit quietly for a quarter of an hour and on this day you should not engage in heavy physical work.
Myth No. 9. To restore lost blood and not feel the loss, you should eat nutritious food in large quantities both before and after the procedure.
In fact. At least a day before donating blood, you must avoid fatty and spicy foods, as well as fried and smoked foods. Eggs, dairy products including butter, dates and chocolate are not recommended at this time. Suitable foods before donating blood are cereals and pasta cooked in water, bread and crackers, vegetables, fruits (except bananas). Suitable drinks include mineral water, compotes, juices, fruit drinks and sweet tea. After donating blood, meals should be regular and nutritious (a full five meals a day is best) - this eating regimen is necessary for at least two days.
Attention! Blood should not be donated on an empty stomach.
Myth No. 9. Some people claim that donating blood can make you fat.
In fact. People who donate blood do not gain weight from this procedure, but can gain weight because they do not adhere to the recommendations about the need for enhanced nutrition for two days after donating blood, continuing to eat in an enhanced mode even when there is no longer any need for it.
Myth No. 10. Donation can ruin your appearance, and your complexion can especially suffer.
In fact. People who donate blood regularly always have a healthy complexion because the blood is constantly renewed. And blood renewal, in turn, is an excellent prevention of various diseases of the cardiovascular system, immunity and the entire immune system, as well as prevention of the gastrointestinal tract, including the liver. As a result, donors have a very good and healthy complexion, and their skin becomes completely clean and radiant.
Myth No. 11. Donation causes harm to the body because the body loses blood.
In fact. Evolutionarily, the amount of blood in the human body is slightly higher than necessary. It is very useful for a person to sometimes “change the reserve volume” of blood, so donation is also useful for the donor himself.
Myth No. 12. Donation cannot be considered normal, because with any blood loss and with any bleeding, the blood must be stopped as quickly as possible, and donors constantly lose up to half a liter of blood.
In fact. Donation can be regarded as a kind of training for the body - a donor has a better chance of coping with significant blood loss, since his body knows how to restore blood loss and is more ready for this than a person who has never donated blood. It is known that the blood balance in a normal situation can be restored to its original state in about four weeks, however, when the situation is critical, the donor’s body will be more adapted to react to blood loss.
Myth No. 13. Donating blood regularly can be addictive.
In fact. If blood is donated by a person who is completely healthy both physically and mentally, then no negative consequences occur even after donating blood multiple times.
Myth No. 14. People are best suited for blood from a donor of the same nationality.
In fact. The cellular composition of blood is the same in all people and does not depend on nationality. Blood is suitable not depending on the nationality of the donor, but depending on the group (one out of four) and on the Rh factor, which can be positive (85% of cases) and negative (15% of cases). The recipient (the person receiving the blood transfusion) is suitable for donor blood that has the same group and Rh factor as the recipient's blood, and nationality does not matter, as does gender, race or religion.
Myth No. 15. Along with the blood, some characteristics of the donor, such as beliefs or habits, can be transferred to the recipient.
In fact. Blood does not contain information about religion, political beliefs, musical preferences, or any habits, so none of the above is transmitted through blood. However, blood can tell about bad and dangerous habits, such as drug addiction, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and infectious diseases. That is why the donor must be completely healthy.
Myth No. 16. The Church has a negative attitude towards donation.
In fact. Christianity, Islam and Judaism consider donation to be a desire to save the life of a neighbor and regard it as the embodiment of mercy, therefore they bless blood donation.
Of course, all the myths that have appeared and created around donation do not end there, however, any myth can be explained and debunked, because the importance of donation simply cannot be overestimated.
Does drawing blood affect your health?
Does donation affect health and can donating blood cause any negative consequences?
The entire history of blood donation confirms that donation does not entail any negative consequences, especially since long-term medical observations of donors from different countries have not only proven the harmlessness of the procedure, but also confirmed its preventive value and even benefits.
Turning to the history of medicine, one can find that even in the times of the Ancient World, bloodletting was known, which was used to strengthen vital forces and to activate protective forces. After many hundreds of years, scientists conducted special studies and proved that bloodletting within reasonable limits really improves the tone of the body. As a result of research, scientists have proven that bloodletting (in this case, donation) can be considered a very effective prevention of many diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
According to US medical statistics, male donors reduce their risk of cardiovascular events and diseases by 30%.
Interesting! Some male donors claim that donation has a positive effect on potency, enhancing it.
It is important that regular donation, that is, regular blood donation, stimulates the body to recover from blood loss as quickly as possible, which can be useful in an unforeseen difficult situation.
Based on the results of many clinical studies, doctors concluded that small but regular blood losses stimulate the body's immune system, since the blood volume is renewed and replenished. In addition, after the blood donation procedure, erythrocytes (red blood cells) are especially actively produced, which stimulate a more active supply of necessary oxygen to all organs of the body.
Thus, donating blood and, especially, regular donation, have only a positive effect on the body and have many advantages.
How to prepare for donating blood?
Every person who has had to deal with serious health problems associated with significant blood loss knows about the role of donation. But even if everything is fine with health, the meaning and importance of donation can be learned from the materials of the World Health Organization, other medical organizations and in medical institutions and/or blood transfusion stations.
At the present stage, donating blood is a completely safe process that cannot pose the slightest threat to health.
However, you should know that only a person who has no contraindications for donation and who is 18 years old at the time of donating blood can become a donor, but the donor’s age should not exceed 60 years. The donor's weight should not be less than 50 kg.
If donating blood goes according to plan, then it is highly advisable to first (a day or two before) donate blood for a test, during which the blood type, Rh factor, level of hemoglobin, red blood cells and other components, as well as the possible course of hidden chronic diseases, are clarified. Immediately before donating blood, body temperature and blood pressure are measured.
The final decision on the possibility of donating blood is made by a transfusiologist immediately before the procedure.
In order to properly prepare for a planned blood donation, several conditions must be met.
- Do not use aspirin or any painkillers three days before the blood donation procedure.
- Avoid drinking any alcohol, including low-alcohol drinks, two days before donating blood.
- Refuse fatty foods, as well as meat and dairy foods in favor of cereals, baked goods and fruits - at least 12 hours before donating blood, and preferably a day before.
- Donors cannot donate blood on an empty stomach, so you must have breakfast with approved foods.
- Smokers should not smoke for at least an hour before the blood collection procedure.
Attention! You can donate whole blood no more than five times within one year - the intervals between blood donations must be at least 60 days. Platelet and plasma donations are allowed more frequently, but are not recommended more than once a month as the body takes time to fully recover.
Contraindications for donation
Donation is noble. Donation is approved by the Church. Donation can save someone's life. But can everyone be a donor?
In fact, there are contraindications for donation, including absolute and temporary.
Absolute contraindications for blood donation:
- AIDS/HIV
- Any viral hepatitis, regardless of whether it is acute, chronic or only mentioned in the anamnesis.
- Tuberculosis at any stage.
- Any cancer at any stage.
- Any blood disease and/or any abnormalities in the composition of the blood identified during biochemical analysis.
Temporary contraindications for blood donation:
- ARVI, after complete recovery from which at least a month must pass.
- Tooth extraction and other surgical dental procedures, after which at least ten days must pass.
- Vaccinations, after which, depending on the type of vaccine, should take from ten days to one year.
- Acupuncture procedures, tattooing or piercing of any part of the body - at least a year must pass after these procedures.
- Pregnancy in any trimester, as well as breastfeeding, must pass at least a year after birth, and at least three months after the end of lactation.
- Menstruation and the week after it ends.
Attention! It is better not to plan blood donation during periods of strong emotional stress or significant physical activity.
conclusions
As they say, we all walk under God. And no one can know when he, his child, his loved one, his mother or his friend will need blood. Even in the most prosperous and safe countries for life, unforeseen situations happen.
In today's world, no one is immune from accidents. “Thank you for saving my life!” is not only the motto of this year's World Blood Donor Day, but these are words that can be uttered by thousands of people around the planet. Someone knows their donor and is grateful to a specific person, while others received salvation from a blood bank, where nothing is indicated except the group and Rh factor. And who should we thank in this case? And how to do this?
The best gratitude is to donate blood, which will also save someone’s life, and then there will be one less tragedy on the planet. Thanks to your blood, thanks to you.
We talked about the benefits of donation, who should not donate blood and how to become a donor. Chief Physician of the Blood Transfusion Station of the Moscow Department of Health Olga Andreevna Mayorova.
Maya Milich, AiF.ru: - April 20 is National Donor Day. What set of events are planned to be held in Moscow in connection with this date?
Olga Mayorova: — In connection with this date, we are holding a round table dedicated to National Donor Day, attracting students from secondary specialized educational institutions. We need to educate donors from a very early age, so our guests will be young people. In addition, the transition of our service to work seven days a week was timed to coincide with National Donor Day. The blood transfusion station is now open 7 days a week, excluding only public holidays. We consider this our achievement, because we are the first blood transfusion station in Russia that completely adapts to the interests of donors and operates seven days a week.
In preparation for National Donor Day, we also host large outreach events with the participation of various institutes and universities. After the holiday, we plan to hold outreach events with student youth.
— How is donation popularized today?
“I would like to believe that the active propaganda measures that we are carrying out with targeted categories will lead to results and the influx of donors will increase. As practice has shown, simply hanging large posters on the street has little power. Now we work with targeted categories, with executive authorities, with school teachers, with educational institutions, and not only medical ones, with bikers who actively come and donate blood. We are trying to carry out our work more targeted and targeted in order to attract entire communities of people.
Contraindications
— What diseases prevent people from becoming blood donors?
— People from 18 years of age to any age can donate blood if there are no contraindications in the form of serious illnesses, somatic diseases, hepatitis, infectious diseases, or vegetative-vascular dystonia. Temporary contraindications are allergic diseases in the acute stage, pregnancy, menstruation, and taking antibiotics.
Sometimes the peculiarity of the structure of the veins can become an obstacle, because donation means donating blood in a fairly large volume and the veins must be pronounced. If there are no these contraindications, then a person can be a donor even at 70 years old. We even have several donors who have crossed the 70-year mark, mostly career plasma donors who have been donating for a very long time. Partly due to their active donor position, they maintain health and vital activity.
Photo: AiF / Lyudmila Alekseeva
Avoid stroke
— Tell us about the benefits of donation for humans.
— The benefits of donation are undeniable. In human donors, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, in particular strokes, is significantly reduced, because the blood is actively renewed. Our regular donors of both blood and plasma, especially men, are better protected from vascular accidents.
In addition, any donation is, although mild, stress for the body. And it has been proven that the presence of just such mild stress increases a person’s resistance to the effects of adverse environmental factors.
Thanks to donation, blood cells are regularly renewed, because they too tend to age. Usually their natural restoration occurs, and in donors this process occurs with greater frequency. There is a theory that the female body is more resistant to negative external factors precisely because monthly blood loss occurs.
Donation is very useful in the presence of a genetic disease - hemochromatosis, associated with the accumulation of iron, the excretion of which is impaired. In the United States, half of blood donors are people with this hereditary disease. For them, one of the physiological ways of treatment is bloodletting, which makes them physically feel better.
Another category is people with high levels of cholesterol and fats in plasma. Everyone knows that in this case plasmapheresis is used for treatment and prevention. In commercial clinics, this procedure is quite expensive. But not everyone knows that donor plasmapheresis is almost the same procedure.
People who have crossed 50 and 60 years of age are very active in donating plasma simply because they feel good afterwards. Donation allows you to prolong youth and lead an active lifestyle.
Don't forget about the psychological factor. Donation is a confirmation of one’s own importance; people experience great moral satisfaction. These are lives saved.
In addition, donors are a certain club, especially plasma donors, who come on the same days, at the same time. Acquaintances are made, which is important given the shortage of direct communication today due to the rise of social networks.
By the way, if your loved one or just a new acquaintance of the opposite sex you like is a personnel donor, then anything is possible with him, because he is obviously healthy. After all, being a donor with a frequency of 2 weeks, a person receives testing for the most complex and severe diseases.
How to become a blood donor?
— How to properly prepare for donation and recover after donation?
— First, you need to understand for yourself that being a donor is very important, and that there is never too much donor blood. In my opinion, every healthy person should be a donor. After all, it is not necessary to donate blood monthly, at least 2 times a year.
First you need to choose a time that is convenient for you. Because you need to come to donate blood or its components in a good mood, thanks to this there are significantly fewer complications. And when the donor constantly looks at his watch and realizes that in 30 minutes he needs to be on the other side of Moscow, then, of course, the whole procedure will take place in a nervous state.
For 2-3 days, you need to exclude fatty foods, coloring foods from your diet, stop smoking and drinking any type of alcohol. All these factors during testing can change the normal parameters of the biochemical analysis and such blood will simply be rejected.
The night before, get a good night's sleep. On the day of blood donation in the morning - a light breakfast, sweet tea and a sandwich with low-fat cheese. It is better to avoid coffee; it leads to increased vascular tone.
You can visit the nearest blood donation point, it could be a blood transfusion station, it could be a department. In Moscow today there are more than 30 points where you can donate blood.
It is also very important to take your passport with you, without which donor registration is impossible. If a person is not a resident of Moscow, then it is advisable to have confirmation of registration, although today this is not mandatory. Then simply follow all the instructions that you receive.
After donation, you will receive either a food package or compensation for food. Already from the second time, that is, when the person is no longer the primary donor, you can take advantage of social support measures.
At least six months after the first blood donation, you must come back for a second examination. The plasma is quarantined for 6 months and before it is released into the medical network, it is necessary to re-examine the donor to exclude the possibility of infection if the donor had an incubation period, for example, hepatitis.
The most common question in medicine is whether it is useful to donate blood. Today, donation is widespread throughout the world, and in some countries it is one of the components of a healthy lifestyle, along with proper nutrition and exercise.
Anyone can express a desire to become a donor. To do this, he needs to come to any blood transfusion station, which are located in almost any locality, and fill out a donor questionnaire, where he will describe in detail his state of health and past diseases. Also, one of the important points for passing the donor commission is a medical examination and blood test, based on the results of which the candidate will be allowed to donate. Specialists conducting a medical examination of the candidate reserve the right to refuse admission to donation if any minor violations are detected without specific reasons and explanations as to why the refusal was given.
If you have successfully passed the commission and become a donor, laboratory specialists will explain to you the rules, procedures, and benefits of donating material without harm to your body. Following these rules will allow you to regularly submit material and participate in saving the lives of people around the world, benefiting yourself.
There are two types of submitted material:
- Whole blood donation occurs by collecting from 200 ml to 450 ml of venous blood. The amount of sampling material is determined by the time you donate blood, for example, if this is your first donation, then the material will be collected in sizes from 150 ml to 250 ml. For subsequent donations, a one-time norm is considered to be a blood donation of up to 450 ml;
- Donation of plasma and its components. People susceptible to thrombocytosis need more platelets when their body does not produce enough of them. In this case, they resort to using donor material. For the donor's body, the collection of material is less noticeable than the collection of whole material. Since the required component is mechanically isolated from the specified amount, and unused blood is returned back to the donor.
The donor can be confident in the sterility of the procedures performed, since transfusion stations pay special attention to this. As a result of regular donation of matter, circulation and cleansing of the circulatory system occurs, which will have a beneficial effect on the donor’s body.
Requirements and contraindications
There cannot be certain strict requirements in the selection of candidates. The main thing is that the applicant does not have infectious or viral diseases transmitted by blood.
An applicant for donation must meet the following parameters:
- the candidate has reached 18 years of age, but not more than 60 years of age;
- body weight must be at least 50 kg.
If these two requirements cannot be met, specialists will not allow the unsuitable candidate to even pass the medical commission. Also, during the examination, the psychological state of the applicant is studied in detail; if mental abnormalities are detected, doctors will refuse permission to donate.
Contraindications for donating blood to both men and women are individual characteristics of the body, for example, anemia, leukemia, etc.
Blood donation is also limited in the following situations:
- Material collection from men can occur no more than once every two months.
- Women are recommended to donate once every three months. It is necessary to pay attention to the menstrual period, during which female donors are prohibited from donating 5 days before the onset of menstruation and 5 days after their end. It is also prohibited to donate blood to pregnant women, and during the period of breastfeeding, you can return to donation after pregnancy one year after the end of breastfeeding.
- After suffering from an illness such as ARVI or ARI, access to donation will be allowed a month after final recovery.
These requirements are mandatory and must be followed by every donor. The use of such radical measures is necessary to maintain the safety of both the donor and the recipient.
Why you shouldn't donate blood often
The circulatory system is replenished and renewed due to the content of substances such as platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes. Nature provides for the renewal of blood and its constant circulation in the human body; the body contains a certain amount of it.
The blood norm for a person is up to 6 liters, with this indicator maintaining the normal functioning of the entire organ system. Each cell of the inner world is supplied with oxygen and can perform all its functions fully.
Frequent blood sampling from a donor can affect his health, since the level of vital material will be reduced, therefore, the body will have limited nutrition and may be in a state of oxygen starvation, which can lead to the death of organ cells. Such damage can be compared to severe blood loss or hemorrhage, so it is very important to comply with the permitted number of donations per year.
Men can donate blood no more than 6 times a year, women no more than 4 times. These indicators are calculated for donating whole blood; you can donate the material for components every two to three weeks, subject to all requirements and contraindications. The number of times to collect material for components should not exceed 12 times a year.
Benefits of donation
By complying with all the requirements for conducting and preparing the donation of material, without exceeding the recommended amount of blood sampling, the body does not experience discomfort and does not suffer harm. In addition, by donating material, your body can be regularly renewed, and therefore the circulatory system is cleansed, this is a definite benefit. For many diseases or allergic reactions, doctors prescribe a patient's blood transfusion without the use of donor material. Such measures help renew blood components, and often get rid of many unwanted infections and reactions.
Also, with regular donation of material, the donor’s body, in the event of a threat, will more easily accept donor blood. This process is due to the regular replenishment and restoration of the circulatory system. The benefits of transfusion and donation are obvious. By becoming a donor, you help not only yourself and your body, but also thousands of other people in need of transfusions.
The main thing is to approach this issue correctly and with special responsibility. Having become a donor, you must understand that you should forget about bad habits; donation inherently represents a healthy lifestyle, in which it is important to observe all the details from proper nutrition to sleep and rest patterns.
In the fog of myths
Questions about whether it is useful to donate blood or not, despite numerous articles and TV shows about it, still arise. The older generation is much better aware of this thanks to the widespread gratuitous donation in the USSR since the mid-1950s. By the mid-1980s, four out of five Soviet donors gave their blood for free. But by the beginning of the 21st century, a serious crisis arose: there were only 13 donors per thousand Russians. Now the situation with blood donation is slowly improving. Unfortunately, it is largely hampered not only by the ignorance of the middle and younger generations, but also by the pseudo-sensations associated with blood donation, which are periodically launched by the yellow media. It's no wonder there are so many myths surrounding donation.
Temper yourself like blood!
Anyone who came to the transfusiology center (blood transfusion station) could be convinced that there was no risk of infection during donation: all the equipment is disposable, stored sealed, and opened only before donating blood and in the presence of the donor himself. But is donating blood beneficial for the human body? Research convincingly proves: yes! Donating blood reduces high blood pressure. A small blood loss (450 ml), which does not significantly affect the condition of a healthy person, activates several protective mechanisms in the body. The bone marrow begins to work actively. Old red and white blood cells that have become harmful to the circulatory system are replaced with new ones. An additional effect is strengthening the immune system. Regular blood donation (for men - 5 times a year, for women - 4) sets the body up to a certain pattern of action in case of blood loss. Therefore, in a situation where the donor begins to bleed profusely (for example, in a traffic accident), he has a better chance of surviving. In addition, a number of tests that would usually require you to pay extra money are done free of charge before donating blood.
With the question of whether it is useful to donate blood, everything seems to be clear. But is it necessary? There's already enough blood! This is truly a deadly myth for those to whom it relates. The shortage of donor blood is felt every day and everywhere. And since 2008, when this state of affairs was recognized as threatening the security of the country, too little time has passed for the situation to significantly improve. Even if you come to donate blood for mercantile purposes (to receive monetary compensation or a hot meal), know: the principle of “one donor - one human life saved” is still in force. Well, those who donate blood at the call of their hearts don’t need to say anything. Such people are truly worth their weight in gold.
It happens that it’s impossible
After such words, it would be surprising to learn that donating blood is harmful. But this is only true in some cases. Donation can be detrimental to the health of those who are under 18 years of age and over 65, who weigh less than 50 kg, whose temperature, blood pressure and hemoglobin readings do not fall within standard limits, as well as those who spent a sleepless night the night before or neglected breakfast in the morning . Women during their menstrual periods, plus or minus a week, and pregnant and nursing mothers should also not donate blood. In addition, there is a list of absolute (without statute of limitations) and temporary contraindications to donation.
Everything is very simple
Any transfusiologist will tell you how to donate blood correctly. I would like to draw attention to the need to have a light breakfast in the morning, give up alcohol (48 hours before donating blood and 24 hours after) and smoking (an hour before and an hour after). After completing the procedure, you should not drive for two hours and you should not have any vaccinations for at least 10 days. By following all the recommendations, you can easily endure minor blood loss and quickly restore your health.
The choice is yours
You can be sure that not a single drop of blood you donate will go in vain. And don’t think about whether donating blood is beneficial. Unfortunately, trouble can happen to anyone. No one is safe from it. And a full-fledged blood bank is a ray of hope for those who need an urgent transfusion, who are on the precarious line between life and death. Do you have the courage to put your 450 milliliters on the cup of another person's life so that it outweighs it?
Bleeding is a process to which the human body has adapted over the centuries in the process of all kinds of conflicts: wars, fights. From a medical point of view, donation is natural and beneficial for humans. Experts from all over the world have repeatedly proven that this procedure provides a healing effect.
The usual dose of blood that is lost during donation is 450 ml, and only platelets are taken. With such an amount of blood loss, the body does not suffer, and the state of health does not deteriorate. Today, blood donations are carried out under the strict supervision of doctors. Anyone wishing to donate blood will have to undergo a mandatory medical examination, first of all - since with low hemoglobin the potential donor himself needs treatment - and the types of hepatitis, which is not discussed. During the consultation, they talk in detail about the benefits of donating blood and how it is done. Therefore, the slightest health risks are eliminated. The state takes care of the safety of people who agree to come to the blood transfusion center.
What are the benefits of donating blood to the body?
The most useful points include:
- and blood circulation in general, general restoration of a person;
- prevention of heart disease, spleen and liver disease;
- It has been proven that periodic plasma donation makes it easier to endure various types of bleeding and recover faster from them.
These benefits can be obtained without taking medications, which to a small extent are harmful to health, so the benefit of donating blood for a donor from a medical point of view lies in the donation itself.
Is donating blood beneficial for men?
It is useful for a modern man to periodically donate blood, because this is how you can get rid of excess iron and various toxins. This stimulates the functioning of the entire hematopoietic system, trains the body, and rejuvenates. Blood volume is renewed faster, which means it is restored faster. According to statistics, myocardial infarction is less common in men who are blood donors than in those who have never donated blood. Thanks to regular training of blood vessels, you can bring your blood pressure back to normal. Therefore, it is useful to donate blood to a man, because normal blood flow is maintained in all organs, and as an additional effect, a normal erection is ensured until old age. This factor is very significant for men's health.
What are the benefits of donating blood to women?
Donation is not harmful for girls and women, but on the contrary, it is very useful. It is known that the procedure prolongs life by 5-8 years and increases resistance to blood loss. It is also useful for women to donate blood because all body systems are renewed, so donors age more slowly. This is especially noticeable before menopause.
There is an opinion that a woman who donates plasma before becoming pregnant will give birth to a girl.
Donation safety
The harms and benefits of donating donor material have been discussed for a long time. We can say with confidence that the procedure is completely safe for the donor. Blood transfusion stations use disposable blood collection instruments. They are opened in front of the donor for his confidence and peace of mind.
A slight loss of blood volume does not pose any threat to health. At one time, no more than 10% of the total blood volume is taken from a person. Immediately after completing the procedure, you can get up, drink sweet tea with crackers and go about your business. The amount of material submitted will be replenished in just one or two days.
Being a donor is an honorable thing. The procedure is selfless and can save more than one person’s life. The state gives rewards to donors who donate plasma more than 40 times. These are annual payments and various benefits: trips to a sanatorium, time off.
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